Synthesis Characterization and Studies of Photodegradation of PVC Films of(4-amino-5-(2-(2,3- dimethylphenyl)aminophnyl)- 1,2,4-triazole-3-thion)with Co(II),Ni(II),Cu(II),Zn(II) and Cd(II) Matel ions

A complexes of Co(II) , Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)  with 4-amino-5-(2-(2,3- dimethylphenyl) aminophnyl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-thion)(L)was prepared and evaluated as a photodegradation for rigid Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC).  Polyvinyl chloride dissolved with metal complexes in THF solvent to form PVC films of 5% (40μm) thickness containing concentrations of the complexes by weight.  These different samples were produced by the casting method from the solvent. The photodegradation of films was investigated using UV-visible spectra. The photostabilization activity of these compounds was determined by calculating the photodecomposition rate constant (Kd) for modified PVC films against a blank. Keywords: photodegradation, 1,2,4-triazole, matel complexes

Effects of Gasoline and Smoking on Lipid Profile and Liver Functions among Gasoline Exposure Workers in Iraq

Introduction: The rapid and recent rise in the pandemic of cardiovascular disease implies that the environment plays a significant role. Numerous biological systems, such as the cardiovascular, blood-forming organs, liver, and kidneys, can be affected by gasoline and smoking. Because filling station employees, repair service workers, gasoline truck drivers, and refinery workers are all at a greater risk of being exposed to gasoline fumes. Even though gasoline and smoking have been investigated for so many years, few studies have looked into the effects of gasoline exposure combined with smoking on a variety of physiological mechanisms. As a result, we propose that combining gasoline exposure with smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and impaired hepatic function. Methods: The study included 95 male adult volunteers who worked with gasoline and were exposed to different fuel derivatives as study group and age and sex-matched seemingly healthy non-exposed people as the controls. Questionnaire interviews were used to collect socio-demographic data and a standard technique was used to collect the blood samples. The levels of cholesterol, HDL4, LDL-C, triglyceride, and VLDL were measured, as well as for liver enzymes ALP, AST, ALT, indirect bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and total bilirubin were measured. Results: Our data suggest that smoking with gasoline exposure causes an increase in total and bad cholesterol levels, as well as a significant shift concerning the control group in lipid profile and liver enzymes. the exposed group had higher levels of ALP, and AST and significantly increased. In the nonsmoker exposed group D-bilirubin decreased in comparison to the control and exposed smoker group. Conclusion: This research concluded that the liver enzymes (ALP, AST, ALT) were higher among workers who smoke and are exposed to gasoline than in control subjects, similarly, the bad cholesterol also increase. Therefore, people who smoke and are handled with gasoline are at a higher risk of having heart and hepatic diseases

LVEF by Multigated Acquisition Scan Compared to Other Imaging Modalities in Cardio-Oncology: a Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The prevalence of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is increasing due to improved cancer survival. Serial monitoring of cardiac function is essential to detect CTRCD, guiding timely intervention strategies. Multigated radionuclide angiography (MUGA) has been the main screening tool using left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to monitor cardiac dysfunction. However, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) may be more suitable for serial assessment. We aimed to assess the concordance between different non-radiating imaging modalities with MUGA to determine whether they can be used interchangeably. RECENT FINDINGS: In order to identify relevant studies, a PubMed search was performed. We included cross-sectional studies comparing MUGA LVEF to that of 2D TTE, 3D TTE, and CMR. From 470 articles, 22 were selected, comprising 1017 patients in total. Among others, this included three 3D TTE, seven 2D harmonic TTE + contrast (2DHC), and seven CMR comparisons. The correlations and Bland-Altman limits of agreement varied for CMR but were stronger for 3D TTE and 2DHC. Our findings suggest that MUGA and CMR should not be used interchangeably whereas 3D TTE and 2DHC are appropriate alternatives following an initial MUGA scan. We propose a multimodality diagnostic imaging strategy for LVEF monitoring in patients undergoing cancer treatment

Left Main Coronary Artery Revascularization in Patients with Impaired Renal Function: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Introduction: The evidence about the optimal revascularization strategy in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease and impaired renal function is limited. Thus, we aimed to compare the outcomes of LMCA disease revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] vs. coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]) in patients with and without impaired renal function. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 2,138 patients recruited from 14 centers between 2015 and 2,019. We compared patients with impaired renal function who had PCI (n= 316) to those who had CABG (n = 121) and compared patients with normal renal function who had PCI (n = 906) to those who had CABG (n = 795). The study outcomes were in-hospital and follow-up major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Results: Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of in-hospital MACCE was significantly higher in CABG compared to PCI in patients with impaired renal function (odds ratio [OR]: 8.13 [95% CI: 4.19–15.76], p < 0.001) and normal renal function (OR: 2.59 [95% CI: 1.79–3.73]; p < 0.001). There were no differences in follow-up MACCE between CABG and PCI in patients with impaired renal function (HR: 1.14 [95% CI: 0.71–1.81], p = 0.585) and normal renal function (HR: 1.12 [0.90–1.39], p = 0.312). Conclusions: PCI could have an advantage over CABG in revascularization of LMCA disease in patients with impaired renal function regarding in-hospital MACCE. The follow-up MACCE was comparable between PCI and CABG in patients with impaired and normal renal function

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Magnetism in Iron-Zirconium Systems

The discrete variational method is used to solve the Khon-Sham equation in the spin-polarized local density approximation for Fe-Zr and Fe-Zr-H clusters, representing iron-zirconium and hydrogenated iron-zirconium alloys. The local  magnetic moment and hyperfine field at the Fe site were found to decrease, whereas the contact charge density and occupation number were found to increase with Zr contents. The Zr site in clusters with high Fe contents acquires a negative magnetic moment. When H is trapped at an interstitial site next-neighboring an Fe atom, the magnetic moment and hyperfine field are enhanced, while the contact charge density is reduced. ‘The opposite occurs when H occupies a neighboring interstitial site to Fe. For Zr atoms the local magnetic moment is found to become less negative with H at the neighboring position. We conclude from this calculation that H is trapped in Fe-Zr systems at positions which are nearest to Zr and next-nearest to Fe atoms

The formation of lithiated Ti-doped alpha-Fe2O3 nanocrystalline particles by mechanical milling of Ti-doped lithium spinel ferrite

The milling of spinel-related Ti-doped Li0.5Fe2.5O4 for different times is studied with XRD, Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Milling converts the material to Li-Ti-doped alpha-Fe2O3 nanocrystalline particles via an intermediate gamma-LiFeO2-related phase. The role played by the dopant Ti-ion in the process is emphasized